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7

Slovenly_MuseFeb 24, 2019

Honnold's climb is absolutely breathtaking. The broader context of his life and relationships can feel like filler by comparison.

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5

sakburnMar 26, 2019

the actual climb is insane! i was a getting a bit bored though by all the characters and their opinions on that climb. should have been the other way round - 20 mins of talking and 80 mins of climbing.

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8

KeithDowMar 4, 2019

Few--if any--documentaries are as visceral an experience as watching 'Free Solo.' It causes your heart to race and your palms to sweat like none other. Truly a remarkable feat of fortitude and filmmaking.

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10

MichaelnotMikeOct 4, 2018

A must see ☆☆☆☆☆ movie!
Best mountain climbing movie ever!
It delves into the mental and physical struggle of achieving an almost impossible feat to FREE SOLO, Yosemite's El Capitan the greatest slap of granite in the world!

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3

ScraperApr 2, 2019

Alex Honnold is one of the least charismatic subjects I've ever seen central to a documentary. He scoffs at the notion of happiness and how it's not valuable because "happiness is available to everyone." Perhaps on the autism spectrum, he isAlex Honnold is one of the least charismatic subjects I've ever seen central to a documentary. He scoffs at the notion of happiness and how it's not valuable because "happiness is available to everyone." Perhaps on the autism spectrum, he is mostly devoid of emotion and, by extension, perspective. His girlfriend tries desperately to coax any care, love or simple reaction from him. The relationship began after she saw him at a book signing so she didn't really know who he was. If he wasn't driven and successful, it would be fun to clock her exit speed out the door. Honnold actually wanted to break up with her at one point because she made a climbing mistake that led to an injury of his. This pathetic relationship, devoid of warmth from his end, totally envelopes the documentary. It's very difficult to watch as his girlfriend pretends that they could be normal one day.

The cliffs themselves serve merely as a possible solution to Alex's detachment from understanding himself and the vibrant world around him. It's obvious that the filmmakers would have much rather portrayed Alex as an insightful thrill-seeker with a philosophical, spiritual mind and playful nature. The inspiration they/we were all hoping for and expecting. They are forced to show him for what he is: a ghost whom risks his life in search of his own humanity.

That said, the feat itself, taking about ten minutes to show, was impressive. At the summit of El Capitan he is irritated that the phone call with his girlfriend is taking so long as she congratulates him.… Expand

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9

GinaKOct 24, 2018

This is a terrific film. I did not go to see it with great expectations, but it turned out to be riveting and extremely suspenseful. You get to know Alex Honnold and understand and appreciate his quest to climb El Capitan in Yosemite withThis is a terrific film. I did not go to see it with great expectations, but it turned out to be riveting and extremely suspenseful. You get to know Alex Honnold and understand and appreciate his quest to climb El Capitan in Yosemite with only his fingers and toes and without a safety rope (!). You also meet his girlfriend, his mother, and even the filmmakers. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and the interesting and very human people in it. And there is never a dull moment, which is truly amazing. I hope this documentary is nominated for an Academy Award – and wins.… Expand

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10

d3ck3rOct 12, 2018

One of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. A well-structured, emotional, intensely intimate tale of human achievement.

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6

HipsterDufusNov 14, 2018

I usually don't like my documentaries with mostly interviews. It's 80% interviews and back story with about 20 minutes at the end of the climb. It was a 4 hour climb for goodness sakes! You think that the majority of the movie would haveI usually don't like my documentaries with mostly interviews. It's 80% interviews and back story with about 20 minutes at the end of the climb. It was a 4 hour climb for goodness sakes! You think that the majority of the movie would have been just the climb itself not the pretext up to it. I enjoyed it, but I fell asleep 3 times during the first 2/3rds… Expand

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10

duanewilliamsFeb 3, 2019

It would be hard to exaggerate how good this film is. One member of the camera crew had to turn his head away from what he was filming because it was so scary. I was sweating in my seat and I already knew the outcome. You may not agreeIt would be hard to exaggerate how good this film is. One member of the camera crew had to turn his head away from what he was filming because it was so scary. I was sweating in my seat and I already knew the outcome. You may not agree with Alex Honnold's view of life, but you will not be bored as you watch him free solo El Capitan. The scenery in Yosemite is gorgeous, of course. There's a lot more to this film than just the historic climb and it's all good.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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8

TVJerryOct 18, 2018

If you can look at pictures of free solo climbing and not flinch, this movie may not be for you. Alex Honnold is one of the world's most famous and daring solo climbers (using hands and feet only, no ropes). This documentary details hisIf you can look at pictures of free solo climbing and not flinch, this movie may not be for you. Alex Honnold is one of the world's most famous and daring solo climbers (using hands and feet only, no ropes). This documentary details his efforts to scale the face of a 3000 feet high El Capitan in Yosmite. It also offers insight into his unique personality. There's lots of prep and even some mishaps, but his almost irrational determination drives him to the final climb, a harrowing, seemingly impossible feat. Luckily, this is only playing at Criterion Cinemas…not sure I could take it on a giant IMAX screen.… Expand

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7

TyranianMay 20, 2019

Fairly incredible doco and the final climb is mesmerising, bit too much filler beforehand though.

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8

imthenoobMar 23, 2019

I'm not one for documentaries but this one captured me. You can almost feel the emotional struggle everyone as to go through when Alex finally goes through with his climb, It's a tense moment and it really caps off the great journey leadingI'm not one for documentaries but this one captured me. You can almost feel the emotional struggle everyone as to go through when Alex finally goes through with his climb, It's a tense moment and it really caps off the great journey leading up to it. And mind you, This is coming from someone who has only watched one other documentary in his life. It's that good.… Expand

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10

ProteusOct 27, 2018

Early in the movie a highly respected climber says "imagine needing an Olympic Gold level of excellence and if you fail you die". Those are the stakes here. "Man on Wire" was my previous favorite documentary. If you want to see an example ofEarly in the movie a highly respected climber says "imagine needing an Olympic Gold level of excellence and if you fail you die". Those are the stakes here. "Man on Wire" was my previous favorite documentary. If you want to see an example of extremely high mental health watch that movie.

This movie matches Man on Wire. The insight into human nature here is riveting. Why do we do what we do?… Expand

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7

foxgroveDec 18, 2018

This documentary about free soloing enthusiast Alex Honnold is often so nerve janglingly tense that it is often very difficult to watch. However, watch we do with a mixture of awe and horror as Alex scales El Capitan, in Yosemite NationalThis documentary about free soloing enthusiast Alex Honnold is often so nerve janglingly tense that it is often very difficult to watch. However, watch we do with a mixture of awe and horror as Alex scales El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park, without the assist of ropes or any other support. Courageous or foolhardy is just one of the questions that immediately come to mind. Whatever the answer the doc makes for very emotional and visceral film making. Yosemite looks like the Amazing place that it is and I am sure tourism will increase as a result of the film. The song 'Gravity' at the end credits is a nice final touch.… Expand

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10

olivermetaMar 11, 2019

Cool movie. CAPS for el Cap. This review needs to be 75 characters long.....

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6

DjakeirFeb 20, 2019

I will never understand why anyone would want to free solo, and this movie does very little in explaining why either. I expected better editing and structure to the film and the film has a very peculiar build up to the final climb, II will never understand why anyone would want to free solo, and this movie does very little in explaining why either. I expected better editing and structure to the film and the film has a very peculiar build up to the final climb, I understand that the camera crew didn't know when he was going to do it but I also expect hindsight to play a part in the final product. Clearly the man in question has a lot of issues and so does the film. The film doesn't really do justice to the high stakes this man went through to reach the top because in the first minute of the film we see him reach the top! Whoever decided to do that is possibly the single worst person to have worked on this movie. Obviously I wanted him to reach the top but I also wanted to experience watching him doing it with the tension everyone else felt when they saw him do it in real life. Why ruin the film? why? Everything he did that was high risk now became underwhlming because you now he did it successfully already. If you make a documentary that records something so extraoordinary as what this man has done and you have to remind yourslef of how incredible it is, someone along the line of this production has slipped and plummeted to the death of their film making career.… Expand

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10

MarkTakayamaAug 26, 2019

This is a great documentary.I learned "Free Solo".This is not a horror movie.But I am a acrophobia. This movie scared me.I couldn't imagine Alex's spirit and ability.I loved the movie!